Traveling from Hattiesburg to Starkville covers 188.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 56 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination in under three hours without needing an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $29 for fuel to complete the journey. Navigating through the Southeast, the drive connects two distinct Mississippi hubs via local roads rather than major interstates. It is a straightforward trek that offers a consistent pace for those looking to travel between these two cities efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
93.6 miles from Hattiesburg, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
77.7 mi
1h 24m
US 45
65.1 mi
1h 14m
US Highway 45 Alternate
18.5 mi
21m
I 59
9 mi
10m
MS 182
2.2 mi
3m
Evelyn Gandy Parkway
1.9 mi
2m
MS 12
1.7 mi
2m
North Main Street
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
— 77.7 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hattiesburg, MS and Starkville, MS.
1
Start on US 11
27 ft·5 sec·East Pine Street
2
Turn right onto MS 967
1.3 mi·3 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
At end of road, turn left onto Old Highway 42
0.2 mi·28 sec·Old Highway 42
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto Glendale Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·Glendale Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto Monroe Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Monroe Road
6
Turn left onto MS 42
1.9 mi·2 min·Evelyn Gandy Parkway
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
8
Merge onto I 59
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
9.0 mi·10 min·I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, TuscaloosaUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward US 45 North: MaconUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 45
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
19 mi·21 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, TupeloUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
6.6 mi·7 min
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward MS 182 West: Starkville
15
Continue on MS 182
2.2 mi·3 min·MS 182
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward MS 12 West: AckermanUse the left lane.
17
Turn straight onto MS 12
1.7 mi·2 min·MS 12
18
Turn slight left
78 ft·5 sec
19
Turn left onto Eckford Drive
0.1 mi·34 sec·Eckford Drive
20
Continue on Victory Lane
0.2 mi·38 sec·Victory Lane
21
Turn right
214 ft·17 sec
22
Turn right
290 ft·21 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 188.9-mile journey is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid peak traffic. Plan for at least one stop along the way to break up the drive and stretch your legs. Given the nature of these local roads, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Hattiesburg to ensure you stay within your $29 budget. Because the route is entirely non-highway, check your navigation frequently to stay on track through the various turns on Highway 42 and Glendale Avenue. Taking a relaxed approach will make this three-hour trip much more manageable.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 93.6 miles from Hattiesburg, MS, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 41 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.6 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Starkville, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hattiesburg, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hattiesburg, MS
This is one driving day of about 187.3 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Hattiesburg, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway for about 77.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 185 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 967 / North Main Street
Turn right onto MS 967 / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|Old Highway 42
At end of road, turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
82.9 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscalo...
8
157.3 mi into trip|~3h in|US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...
7
185 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Turn left toward MS 12 West: Ackerman
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward MS 12 West: Ackerman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.29 one way
$56.57 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$31.05
$62.10
premium
$4.56
$33.62
$67.24
diesel
$5.61
$41.35
$82.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.2
0
$19.67
$8.99
Efficient EV
46.8
0
$16.39
$7.49
EV Truck/SUV
74.9
0
$26.22
$11.99
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hattiesburg, MS
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Starkville, MS
Late night
in Starkville on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
94 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
29 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 39m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will spend your time navigating North Main Street, Highway 42, and Glendale Avenue, which creates a more hands-on driving experience. Because the path relies entirely on local roads, you should remain attentive to changing road conditions and turns throughout the trip. This journey lacks long, uninterrupted stretches of open road, requiring you to stay engaged with the route from start to finish. It is a practical way to traverse the region if you prefer avoiding high-speed traffic.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.7 mi on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 967 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 187.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 967 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (Old Highway 42): Lane positioning matters here; at 82.9 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hattiesburg, MS and Starkville, MS, road signs point toward Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Tuscaloosa
82.9 mi in|~1h 34m|via I 59
Tupelo
157.3 mi in|~3h|via US 45 ALT
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 39m. Total distance: 187.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.7 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Starkville, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 967 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (Old Highway 42): Lane positioning matters here; at 82.9 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Starkville, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
